As Bodil and the others slept on the cabin floor in front of the fire, I stood looking out the window above Kara's food counters. The night was calm. It was disconcerting to me considering everything I had just learned about. The memories from my life as Aadi would flash through my mind as I tried to remember the battle against the Udøde. Frustrated that I couldn't remember any real details I dipped a cup into the water barrel and took a long drink. Out of the corner of my eye I seen a glinting off of Bodil's axe she placed against the wall earlier. I walked over to it and picked it up quietly, turning it over in my hand. The hilt was exactly like Gallions swords Hilt. Taking the axe I walked over to Gallions sack of belonging. Setting the axe of the floor I unrolled Gallion saddle cover and there was the sword, rolled up in a black wolf's fur. The hilts were identical. Bodil came up beside me quietly and kneeled down.
"The same. They must have been created by the same metal worker." She ran her fingers down the swords hilt, then the blade. "The blade is in need of repair. I would have done the Axe myself, except I did not get the chance." She picked up the axe and pointed out a chip in the blade. "Gallion and I can help you with that. He is a great metal worker. He was working on this when we left." I said pointing to the sword."These weapons must have seen a serious battle." She stopped and thought for a moment. She took the sword and axe and studied them side by side for a moment, then she slid the swords blade into a slot on the front of the axe's hilt. The Swords blade adding a second edge to the axe's blade. They fit together perfectly. In the moment that they locked into place they started to give off a blue hue. Bodil placed them on the ground unsure what was going to happen.
We both moved back from the blades. They lifted into the air and started to grow brighter and brighter. The entire room lit up waking up Gallion, Sullevan and Pepper."What in the hell is that light?" Gallion asked grumpily. The light began to fade and the blades hovered, they were made new. Both of the blades were beautiful and black, the iron blade replaced with something new. The hilts were also repaired, the runes and leather as though they had been placed today, small shining gems on the butt of each handle.
"The lost blades of Gorn. Terning and Skive." Sullevan explained as he came to stand beside us."How would you two come across these weapons?" Pepper asked me.The blades fell to the cabin floor with a crash. Sullevan picked them both up and handed them back to Bodil. "I am also curious how you both have possession of these blades?" Sullevan asked. "I thought your axe to be a simple look alike before, Bodil. To know now that these are the true blades of Gorn. Well, this is not something I thought I would not see in my life. Let alone, hold." Sullen passed the blades to Bodil and stepped away.
Bodil pulled the blades apart, passing me the sword. Gallion walked to me placing his hand on my shoulder. "Now we know why you have been so attracted to this blade, eh Bjorn?" "Twins born to two great warriors would wield the weapons of Nef, bringing with them Ragnarök." Kara said so quietly I almost didn't hear her. "Ota said a prophecy was poorly received and this caused Bodil and I to be separated. Is this the prophecy you speak of? Ragnarök?" I asked Kara, the room silent waiting for her to answer. "Yes, it is why you were separated. As for being poorly received is on the gods. Not Fran. She was near the end of her life when she received the message of the gods. If she said that Ragnarök was the out come of you two gaining these weapons and now the warning of Ødeleggeren, it may not be wrong after all." Kara said as she took a seat on a bench. "Kara, I will not allow that to happen." Bodil said sitting beside her."I say we get some more rest and first thing in the morning we start training." Pepper suggested as she yawned.
Morning came entirely to early I thought, it felt as though I had just fallen asleep. My body was heavy, I hoped that the morning air would help me feel motivated to start training in magics. Gathering my cloak and pulling it over my shoulder I headed for the door, bringing with me the sword. I left the cabin and started to walk over to the barn. I found Cal here already tending to his trip of goats."Goats! Come on goats, time for your food." Cal called out to them. "Sure are stubborn beats, goats are. I always hated our goats at home." I mentioned. "How about those weapons of yours eh? I believe the gems are obsidian, the blades are Damascus. These blades will match your strength."I have only heard of obsidian in Gallion's stories." I have never seen obsidian, Gallion always said it was a gem used by royals. A rare mineral pulled deep near a mouth of the earth. The fire rivers keep most away, they are unpredictable." Cal explained. Pulling out the sword I passed it to Cal. He took it with out hesitation and examined it. "Really is beautiful. I hope it will help you. At this point, we will take whatever help we can gain." "I want to learn what I can with my magic. It may be new to me but don't treat me like a child. Train me hard." I said."Train us hard, you mean." Bodil said as she came up behind me. "I am no child either and I do like a challenge." She said smiling. She had her hair braded back into three braids, a few runes put into them, probably from kara."I jobs to tend to before we can start, If you two help out, it can be faster." Cal asked hopeful.
Neither Bodil or myself hesitated we got to work immediately and before half day we were ready to try out some basic casts. Cal had set up a few target, mostly consisting of hay and wooden logs. "My children learned magic through healing in their young age, if you happen to need assistance, they will help you." Cal said as he waved at his boys. "Using your magics is as easy as waving your hand, its apart of you."
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Cal turned on the spot and shot his hands out in front of him, Two fire balls shot towards the log target knocking into it with a bang. The log burst into flames. I stood in awe at the raw power. I was amazed. I have memories of using magic, seeing it now, here. I could feel the excitement building up in my belly.
Stepping forward beside Cal, Bodil came to stand beside me. "It's my turn to have a laugh." She poked at me.I stretched my hands a few times thinking that if I limbered up the muscles the magic would come to me more easily. In a fast motion I threw my hands up in front of me hoping the flaming balls would shoot out just like they did for Cal. Nothing. Not even a flicker of light. I tried a couple of times, Bodil was beside me chuckling to herself. "Well that's relieving." She said. "I was worried you would get it on your first go." "So did I. Damn." I said. Cal laughed, "Nope, it takes more then flinging your hands around. Sorry, Bjorn, you need to know, really know what you want. Don't try to repeat my actions, do what feels right for you." He instructed.
I could see Bodil concentrating on learning herself. I followed my instincts. I pulled out my sword out in one quick swoop, swinging the sword upwards in front of me. The sword cut through the air leaving behind a line of fire, I immediately sung the blade down again, sending the flame towards the log. I stood watching the log burn, happy and surprised at my actions. How easy it was.
Bodil immediately reached for her axe, pulling out she swung it over her head bringing it down with a crash in the ground. The ground split as lightning crawled across the ground towards the burning log. When the lightning reached the log it burst it into a thousand of burning pieces scattering outwards. She looked at me with a grin that stretched across her face. I couldn't help but smile back. That was incredible.
"I don't think you guys are going to need much training." Cal said He sent a wave of water towards to burning field. " That crack will have to be filled the natural way." He rubbed the back of his neck.
We spent the rest of the afternoon pushing soil into the crack. Luckily it didn't split the ground completely. Cal had us use magic to move the soil in the deeper spots, this was good practice for us. I managed to bring water up from the ground a few times to wet the soil. Bodil matched up to me well. I couldn't deny that the two of us were a lot alike. We made it a bit of a game who could cast what. Cal's boys Marc and Kanoot joined us, and by the time they were done showing off how far they could toss water in the air, we were all covered in a healthy layer of mud.
"Amma will be sore with me when she sees us coming. Better head to the river first." He pointed through a thick layer of trees. Marc and Kanoot leading the way into the forest excitedly, the three of us followed. "I appreciate you doing this for us Cal." Bodil said. "You are a great teacher." "To be fair, it was Ama who taught me to control my self better. Your parents were strong fighters." Cal told us. "I just hope its not all for naught." Bodil said. "It wont be. Just you two being here, knowing the gods are on our side, it has made a difference. Men and woman all around the island, they have been renewed knowing we may have a fighting chance with you two on our side." He went on.
A man came through the trees just a head of us into sight, Cal waved at him, "Ahh, Einar. Well met, I hope your family is well." Cal reached for the mans wrist as they reached each other. "Well enough, as for the other end of the island, I have just come from there, another attack. Cal, the land bridge to the main land is becoming less of a risk to the beasts who risk crossing it. We are out of time." Einar told him. Cal nodded in earnest. "I thought we would be. We will head to the land bridge tomorrow. We don't know where Ødeleggeren is." "He's not on nef?" Bodil asked. "I thought he would of been here, where the magic is?" Cal and Einar paused for a moment. "There isn't many places on this island the awakened haven't been." Einar said. "There is anywhere here that he could be? A mountain? A cave? Catacombs?" I asked. "Catacombs?" Cal asked curiously. "The only catacombs I know of were the ones below the temple. They are blocked and buried. No one can get in or out." "I want to go see them." Bodil said. "Can we at least check them out? An old entrance? Back entrance?""Yeah, Father! The back entrance by the cliff shore!" Kanoot said happily, then stopped. "The ones we aren't allowed to go near.""No, you are not." Cal said looking at Kanoot and Marc with a stern look. "We can have a look. It is only a cave entrance to the catacombs, but they are usually filled with wild animals. People tell stories of darker things that live in the tunnels that are available. They don't go deep, they are old however, and not entirely stable." He explained."We have to start somewhere, thank you Kanoot." I said.
After having a wash off in the river, and catching five fresh fish for dinner, we headed back so we can could feast on our catch and make plans to visit the cliff cave. Kara was preparing other items for our feast and telling stories to the boys about her time as a child, something about a battle she was proud and stood strong in."Amma, if you were such a warrior why are you so old now?" Marc asked."That is why I am so old. No one could defeat me!" She gave Marc a shove to the side. "And the gods needed me to live. They knew your father was going to need help with you two." She said to them and ruffled their hair smiling. "I don't know, I can't wait to fight in a battle and show the gods what I can do!" Marc said grabbing a wooden sword and pointing it at Kanoot. " Fight me, you demon!" He starting to edge towards Kanoot who turned and took off running out the door, Marc close on his trail."Bodil, would you like to try something different? A little... Seer magic?" Kara asked Bodil smiling. "I would love to, Kara." Bodil said smiling.